Meeting Abstract

P1.99  Sunday, Jan. 4  A Comparison of Grooming Behaviors in Smasher and Spearer Mantis Shrimp WORTHAM, J.L.*; MCRAE, L.K; University of Tampa; University of Tampa jwortham@ut.edu

Grooming behaviors are frequent actions performed by crustaceans. However, there is much variation in how many grooming appendages are used and what body regions are cleaned. Mantis shrimp are marine benthic crustaceans that groom their bodies, using one pair of grooming appendages. Generally, mantis shrimp can be divided into two morphologically and ecologically different groups, smashers and spearers. Spearers are usually dull in color, have poorer vision, live in murky waters, and are active at night. In contrast, smashers are normally bright in color, have detailed vision, live in clear waters, and are active in the day. Both groups live in a burrow, rather it be self-excavated in the sand or in a pre-existing cavity in rock. Grooming behaviors, in terms of frequency, region groomed, and length of groomed action, were observed in 17 different species (15 smashers; 2 spearers) of mantis shrimp across 112 individuals. Differences in areas groomed and grooming frequencies were compared between species and sexes based on group, type of burrow, and time of day they are active. Data analyses infers that 1) both groups groom their bodies frequently, 2) regions of the body groomed vary between groups, and 3)grooming behaviors do vary between groups that live in different ecological habitats.